Remediation: Catalyzed Hydrogen Peroxide Injection

Remediation: Catalyzed Hydrogen Peroxide Injection

ORIN had just traveled to southern Alabama to successfully reduce concentrations of benzene and naphthalene in groundwater utilizing in-situ chemical oxidation. The site is a former military base with a targeted treatment area of approximately 1,800 square feet. The client elected to implement DPT injection of a peroxide-based reagent to reduce COC concentrations in groundwater to meet the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) preliminary screening values (PSV). Two wells had concentrations of Benzene and Naphthalene above the PSVs. Hydrogen peroxide effectively oxidized contaminants within the matrix. Forty six points received a combined total of 9,576 gallons of treatment chemistry.

On-site observations clearly showed the formation had more than enough iron to catalyze the reaction. ORIN then proceeded to eliminate the iron catalyst and inject hydrogen peroxide and phosphoric acid, determining that the matrix had more than enough iron to feed the reaction due to the increased exothermic reactions. ORIN had to balance the right amount of phosphoric acid to mix with the hydrogen peroxide throughout the first two days. Once the right combination was achieved, ORIN was able to ramp up to 8% hydrogen peroxide on day two. The hydrogen peroxide treatment chemistry reduced the concentration of benzene and naphthalene by 93% and 89% respectively at the site.